After Fagioli: Investigations also against Tonali and Zaniolo – departure from Italy’s national team

Interrogated by police

After Nicolò Fagioli, the Turin public prosecutor’s office is also investigating Sandro Tonali (23) and Nicolò Zaniolo (24). As the Italian Football Association (FIGC) announced, the investigation documents were delivered to the professionals from Newcastle United and Aston Villa on Thursday. The association then decided to remove the two midfielders from the Squadra Azzurra squad and let them return to their clubs “for their own protection”.

According to consistent reports, including from “Gianluca di MarzioZaniolo and Tonali are accused of possible involvement in illegal betting. Both were questioned by the police at the training ground, where they and their teammates had prepared for the European Championship qualifying games against Malta and in England. Juventus player Fagioli is also being investigated for online betting on unauthorized websites, and a connection is assumed.

The 22-year-old midfielder informed the Italian Football Association about the case on August 30, Armando Simbari, the professional’s lawyer, told the Italian news agency “LaPresse”. If Fagioli is found guilty, he will reportedly face a fine and a ban of several years. Fagioli “is cooperating with both the judicial and sports authorities with the greatest possible transparency,” Simbari said. “He actually wants to contribute to the investigation.” The 22-year-old does not play a relevant role in the investigation, the AP news agency reported.

Tonali moved from AC Milan to Newcastle last summer for 64 million euros, making him the most expensive Italian in football history. Zaniolo left his home country for the first time in February and joined Galatasaray from AS Roma for 15 million euros. A loan move to Aston Villa followed in August.

To home page